Market Trends

💸 Average weekly earnings in the UK's accommodation and food services sector hit £357.05 in August 2025, rising from £346.52 in July, marking a 6.4% year-on-year increase. Payrolled employees increased from 2,085,155 in August to 2,111,295 in September. Vacancies decreased from 78,000 to 74,000. Regular pay growth was 5.9% in this sector, compared to the public sector's 6.0%. The hospitality industry faces pressure from rising wages and seeks government support in the upcoming Autumn Budget.

📺 In a study of 1,500 American hotel guests, in-room entertainment is now the fourth most important feature. Top preferences include fast Wi-Fi, streaming access, and live TV. Entertainment is crucial for 47% of guests returning and 44% recommending hotels. For 38%, it's worth paying more, influencing hotels to enhance offerings. Guests demand personalization, technology, and contactless services post-pandemic. Meeting these expectations boosts guest satisfaction and can drive hotel revenue.

🛌 Fairmont, Ritz-Carlton, Waldorf Astoria, and Le Méridien have partnered with luxury skincare brands like Le Labo, Diptyque, Aesop, and Malin+Goetz in recent years. New York and California laws phasing out single-use toiletries promote wall-mounted dispensers as a branding opportunity. Hotel-branded skincare enhances guest experience and generates revenue, creating memorable take-home souvenirs and emotional connections. This transition from scent to skincare as sensory branding emphasizes hotels' focus on intimate, high-quality guest interactions.

🌎 Oct 14, 2025: A CivicScience study reveals 69% of the 36% of U.S. adults planning winter travel haven’t finalized bookings, with 27% yet to start. Economic unease and declining emotional well-being are delaying decisions, particularly among younger, less affluent travelers near urban airports. Despite stable travel intent, marketers have a limited window to influence these “travel procrastinators” through targeted campaigns in the coming weeks.

🗺 Oct 14, 2025, China: Over 1 billion trips took place during the Golden Week holiday, showcasing record travel but cautious spending. Consumer anxiety remains due to economic challenges like deflation, a property downturn, and youth unemployment above 19%. Retail sales rose only 3.3% year-on-year in the holiday's first four days. Many opted for "zero-cost" tourism, preferring parks and cultural landmarks. Government stimulus has yet to boost spending, with analysts eyeing property recovery.

🏨 Emara Ole-Sereni and Ole Sereni Hotels in Nairobi partnered with STAAH to enhance booking efficiency. They implemented STAAH's Channel Manager, Booking Engine, and Global Distribution System (GDS) for real-time updates, reducing double bookings and rate mismatches. This integration streamlines operations, boosts visibility, and supports both global and regional online travel agencies (OTAs). The partnership positions the hotels for future growth, maximizing booking and revenue opportunities while reducing OTA dependency.

📱 Josiah Mackenzie talks with Steven Moore, CEO of Actabl, about The Lodging Conference. They discuss its unique impact on hospitality leaders by fostering conversations, connections, and collaborations. Listeners learn to build stronger relationships and create beneficial environments. Access more insights with Actabl's "digital swag bag.

💰 GRT Hotels' 10/10 Flash Sale saw demand skyrocket within hours, transforming a booking event into a festival. The sale emphasized urgency and exclusivity, with clear 24-48 hour timelines and targeted audience messaging. Flash sales gauge brand desirability, showing effectiveness as a revenue and engagement tool. Airlines pioneered this tactic, turning unsold seats into cash flow. The success of such sales depends on existing brand allure, with GRT's event proving a brand's vitality and ability to excite.

🏠 Dezeen Awards 2025 shortlists reveal highlights in architecture, interior, and sustainability. Notable entries include House for Julia by Čtyřstěn Architekti, Spain's Isern Serra, and Finland’s mass-timber building. Microsoft unveils its first redesigned Office logos since 2018. Dominic Bradbury's book features iconic post-war homes. SOM completes Milan's 2026 Winter Olympics Athlete's Village. Quay Quarter Tower, an upcycled skyscraper, earns an Earthshot Prize nomination. Foster + Partners to redesign Milan's San Siro stadium. Nicholas Grimshaw and Terry Farrell's passing marks an era's end.